Once I was sure Rein and Lady Katia were settled in the gazebo, I caught Georg’s eye.
“I’m going to step away for a moment. We have some serious matters to discuss.”
I spoke to Rein and stood up. Georg followed my lead.
“Rein, be a good friend to Lady Katia.”
“...Just don’t get too close,” Georg added in a low voice, looking back over his shoulder. Katia’s indignant shout chased after him, but Georg had already turned his focus forward.
Once we were clear of the gazebo and had walked a short distance, I spoke up.
“—So, what’s the situation at the border?”
I went straight to the point. This was the real purpose of my visit. While the celebration for his daughter's birthday wasn't merely a pretext, the reason Georg had asked me to "come by soon" was surely because he wanted to discuss this in person.
Georg’s expression shifted instantly. The joviality he had shown the children at the gazebo vanished, replaced by the grim visage of a warrior entrusted with the nation's defense.
“It’s not good,” he replied.
We entered the castle corridor, where the presence of soldiers became more frequent. Georg stole a glance out of a window before continuing.
“You know my intelligence department has been monitoring the internal affairs of our neighbor, Seltheim. Lately, some troublesome developments have surfaced.”
“Troublesome developments?”
“A political struggle has broken out within the Seltheim royalty between the Expansionist Faction and the Equilibrium Faction. The Expansionist Faction is comprised of those hungry for more territory, while the Equilibrium Faction consists of moderates content with the status quo. The moderates had things under control until recently, but the Expansionist Faction has been gaining significant momentum of late.”
“...Expansionism. A nasty word.”
“There’s a growing sense that the Expansionist Faction wants to slide into war by any means necessary. Whether they’re trying to sow the seeds for a conflict or not, ‘rats’ have been scurrying across the border with increasing frequency. It looks like they’re planning some form of sabotage.”
Georg tapped a thick finger against the corridor’s stone railing.
“In the past, the Equilibrium Faction would have suppressed such provocations, but their influence is waning. We haven't seen full-scale military action yet, but the atmosphere has shifted unmistakably.”
“Is something going to happen soon?”
“No, the Equilibrium Faction hasn’t been completely crushed yet. I don’t expect an immediate crisis. But... we can’t afford to be complacent.”
Georg’s gaze drifted out the window toward the border.
“In the worst-case scenario—even if it comes to war—the Expansionist Faction will have only just seized power, meaning their mobilization numbers will be limited. Even against the maximum forces I anticipate, I’ll hold them back until reinforcements arrive.”
He said it nonchalantly, but his words were heavy with the pride of his martial house. One only had to look at this castle to believe him; the place was a literal fortress.
“However,” Georg turned to face me. “The problem is that there’s no guarantee they’ll attack head-on. With the kind of ‘rats’ I mentioned, they might try to hit us from a blind spot through underhanded methods.”
I nodded in understanding.
“Is that why you made a point of asking me and the other neighboring lords to visit?”
“Yeah. Vilhelm, while it’s unlikely they’d skip over the Margraviate just to strike your lands, our territories are adjacent. I can’t say for certain you won’t be caught in the crossfire. I want you to keep a close eye on anyone moving through your borders. I’ll send you our intelligence reports later.”
“...Understood. I’ll bolster my own intelligence efforts as well. Keep me informed of any movements.”
“Of course.”
We brought the heavy conversation to a close there.
As we continued down the corridor, I spoke up to lighten the mood.
“Is Lady Friederike doing well?”
“Yes. She’s not joining us today because she’s busy preparing for tomorrow. As always, I leave the household affairs entirely to her; I’m no match for her.”
“I haven't seen Lord Ulrich or Lord Helmut.”
When I asked about Katia’s older brothers, Georg shrugged.
“The eldest is stationed at a fortress. The younger is away at the Academy. Neither of them can make it back for a while.”
“I see,” I nodded, before moving to my real agenda. “Still, Lady Katia is certainly a spirited girl.”
“Naturally. She is the cutest daughter in the world.”
The response was instantaneous. This man’s doting nature hadn't changed one bit.
“By the way, Georg, what would you think about making Lady Katia Rein’s fiancée?”
Georg stopped dead in his tracks.
“...Huh?”
“He’s my second son, but strictly between us, he’s a dual-Attribute user. For a Margraviate in need of military strength, he wouldn't be a bad prospect, would he?”
Georg’s eyes widened for a split second before his expression flattened.
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re only six.”
I was half-serious and half-joking to dispel the lingering gloom of our earlier talk, but Georg wasn't having any of it.
“It’s not necessarily early for nobles. Especially with the situation being so unstable, we should secure a match while—”
“It’s early. Way too early. It’ll be a hundred years before any man is good enough for Katia!”
Georg crossed his arms and shook his head, his face entirely that of a protective father.
“A hundred years is a long time.”
“Quiet, you.”
When we returned to the gazebo, Rein and Lady Katia were sitting side by side. They were noticeably closer than they had been when we left.
As expected, Georg’s eyebrows twitched. He began stomping toward them, his massive frame looming large.
“Hey. Aren’t you two sitting a little close...?”
I watched the scene with a wry smile, enjoying the view.